Agentic AI is transforming finance departments by delivering measurable returns through accounts payable automation. Unlike experimental AI tools that generate insights, these autonomous systems execute workflows under strict rules and approval thresholds.
Recent research from Basware and FT Longitude shows that while general AI initiatives produced a 67 percent return on investment last year, autonomous agents achieved an average ROI of 80 percent. This gap signals a shift in how chief information officers allocate automation budgets.
Boardroom expectations have intensified. Nearly half of chief financial officers report pressure from leadership to implement AI across operations. However, 61 percent admit that many custom AI agents were deployed mainly as experiments rather than business solutions. As scrutiny increases, patience for unstructured innovation declines.
Agentic AI Moves From Experiment to Execution
Traditional AI models often generate insights that require human interpretation. In contrast, Agentic AI embeds decisions directly into workflows. It closes the gap between prediction and action by executing tasks automatically within defined compliance boundaries.
Jason Kurtz, chief executive of Basware, notes that executives now demand concrete results. He says boards expect automation investments to translate into financial performance rather than theoretical capability.
The pivot reflects a broader realisation. Enterprises can no longer afford scattered AI pilots. Instead, they require systems that integrate into daily operations and deliver repeatable outcomes.
Accounts Payable Becomes the Proving Ground
Finance leaders increasingly deploy Agentic AI within high volume, rules based environments. Accounts payable stands out as the primary use case. According to the study, 72 percent of finance leaders identify AP as the logical starting point.
The process suits automation because it involves structured data. Invoices enter systems, require validation, undergo compliance checks, and result in payment booking. Agents automate invoice capture, data entry, duplicate detection and fraud identification.
Basware trains its systems on more than two billion processed invoices. This dataset enables contextual accuracy and reduces false positives. Kevin Kamau, director of product management for data and AI at Basware, describes accounts payable as a proving ground that combines scale and accountability.
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Build Versus Buy in Agentic AI Strategy
Technology leaders face a procurement decision. In accounts payable, 32 percent prefer embedded vendor solutions, while 20 percent build systems in house. For financial planning and analysis, 35 percent opt to build internally compared to 29 percent embedding vendor tools.
This pattern reveals a practical rule. Organisations should buy when AI enhances common processes shared across industries. Conversely, they should build when automation creates a competitive edge unique to the enterprise.
Embedding Agentic AI within vendor platforms accelerates deployment and reduces development risk. However, in house builds may offer differentiation in strategic areas such as forecasting or liquidity modelling.
Governance Enables Scaled Agentic AI
Concerns about autonomous error remain significant. Nearly 46 percent of finance leaders hesitate to deploy agents without clear governance structures. This caution reflects regulatory and compliance obligations.
Yet the most successful adopters treat governance as an enabler rather than a barrier. They introduce autonomy gradually, maintain human oversight, and apply approval thresholds that mirror internal controls.
Anssi Ruokonen, head of data and AI at Basware, suggests organisations treat AI agents like junior colleagues. Systems require supervision initially, but confidence grows through controlled exposure.
Automation also raises workforce concerns. About one third of finance leaders believe displacement has begun. However, many executives argue that Agentic AI shifts responsibilities rather than eliminating roles. Staff transition from manual invoice processing to analytical and strategic functions.
ROI Defines the Future of Agentic AI
The research highlights a strong correlation between disciplined deployment and higher returns. Finance teams that integrate Agentic AI daily into accounts payable report better ROI than those conducting scattered experiments.
Data shows that 71 percent of teams with weak returns acted under external pressure without clear direction. In contrast, only 13 percent of high performing teams lacked structured strategy.
The lesson is clear. Enterprises must embed automation directly into workflows, govern agents rigorously, and align deployment with measurable outcomes. Agentic AI delivers transformational potential, but only when leaders combine ambition with discipline.